How to Address Judges & Judicial Registrars
Addressing a Federal Court Judge
In Court
When | Guideline | Example |
|---|---|---|
Addressing a judge in open court in a court proceeding | In court, parties/legal practitioners refer to the judge as 'Your Honour'. | 'Yes, your Honour.' |
To refer to a judge who is not present in the courtroom you can refer to them as Justice Smith OR His or Her Honour BUT NOT His or Her Honour Justice Smith. | 'Your Honour would be aware that Justice Smith …' |
In writing
When | Guideline | Example |
|---|---|---|
Addressing letters and envelopes | The Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 s6(6) prescribes the form for addressing Federal Court judges as 'The Honourable Justice …………'. It is incorrect to refer to a Federal Court judge as His or Her Honour Justice Smith or as Judge Smith. Include any post nominals after the name (eg. AC, AO). | The Hon. Justice W M Smith AO
|
| Salutation | Dear Judge, |
Addressing the Chief Justice
The same guidelines set out above apply when addressing the Chief Justice, with the small differences set out below:
When | Example |
|---|---|
In writing - addressing letters and envelopes | The Hon. D S Mortimer, Chief Justice, Federal Court of Australia |
| In writing - salutation | Dear Chief Justice, |
In Court | 'Your Honour' |
In person | 'Good morning Chief Justice.' |
Retired Judges
| When | Guideline | Example |
|---|---|---|
In writing - addressing letters and envelopes | Retired judges are entitled to be described as 'The Honourable'. The Hon [Mr or Ms or Mrs] Last name [any post-nominals e.g. SC, AC] | The Hon Anna Katzmann SC |
| In writing - salutation | Dear [Mr or Ms or Mrs] Last name, | Dear Ms Katzmann, |
In person | [Mr or Ms or Mrs] Last name The title 'Judge' can be used as a courtesy. | Ms Katzmann |
How to address Registrars
Guideline | Example |
|---|---|
In court, a case management conference or mediation a registrar should be addressed as Registrar unless s/he advises otherwise. | 'Registrar' |
